Posted 2005-04-21 12:03 AM (#616) Subject: Truck/trailer towing question
Posts: 244
Here goes,my 1st new post.With all the talk re:truck size,tow capacity,ect.I would like some advice.We have a F250 powerstroke diesel 4W supercab,recently got a 3H Platinum LQ 10' sw.I don't want to get scared and back out before our 1st camp trip coming up,but want to know how to go about judging the weight values,tow capacities,ect.for this rig.I feel I'll get good answers maybe from hosspuller,gabz,and others I'm familiar with that will help.Thanks.
Posted 2005-04-21 7:10 AM (#617 - in reply to #616) Subject: RE: Truck/trailer towing question
Posts: 2621
For the truck, there should be a weight rating plate either on the edge of the driver's door or the driver's door pillar, this will tell you what you can pull and what you can "carry".
The trailer will probably need to be weighed. Since you have a 3/4 ton truck it would be a good idea to make the purchase of the trailer conditional on a test drive that includes a stop at a weigh bridge. Most local sand and gravel yards will weigh your rig axle by axle for $10 or so, often $0.
Posted 2005-04-21 10:12 AM (#618 - in reply to #616) Subject: RE: Truck/trailer towing question
Posts: 1563
Location: North Carolina
crowleysridgegirl:
Thanks for the kind words. The best, I can do for you is advise you to look at your truck's ratings. I believe you're going to be close with a 10' LQ and three horses. (if you only carry 2 horses = more margin )
1: the GVWR (Gross vehicle weight rating)
2: the rear axle rating
3: the CGVWR (Combined Gross vehicle weight rating)
You're going to compare these numbers with the truck and trailer weight. Most accurate method is, as Reg says, a scale.
Load the truck with fuel and usual passengers and stuff.
Then hitch the loaded trailer (with the horses and food and water and tack and hay and dog and...) Weigh the ... front axle of the truck, front and rear axle of the truck, then the whole rig on the scale. (one pass with three stops)
Here's what the numbers will mean to you.
axle weight should not exceed any of the axle ratings.
Posted 2005-04-21 12:03 PM (#619 - in reply to #616) Subject: RE: Truck/trailer towing question
Posts: 244
50 Thanks,I knew I could count on you guys for the info.Most of time,we will only have 2 horses,and they're foxtrotters(not real big horses.)We'll wait until we get to the campground to get water,and I'll try to "hold it down" on the excess gear.(You know us gals.)We stay in Arkansas and Missouri (NO Rocky Mts)but some good sized hills sometimes anyway.Now,the problem will be getting spouse to take it to the seed company 2-3 miles away to weigh it!48 (You know some guys.)Hope we're not stretching it with this rig.
Posted 2005-04-21 12:42 PM (#620 - in reply to #616) Subject: RE: Truck/trailer towing question
Posts: 2621
From other threads and other forums it seems the F250 doesn't have a very high payload, so I'm guessing that the weight your coupler carries is likely to be the limiting factor. Just about all of that load goes directly onto the rear axle, I don't know if the 4x4 has a heavier axle than the 2x4.
I wouldn't go DRY, even at the risk of overloading. For a couple of horses you can probably get by with carrying 10 gallons of water, say ~80 lbs. If they're fussy about water you'll want the water they're used to, so take it from home. If you're going to be gone for more than a day only take out a half bucket at a time and top up with local water, this will keep SOME of your home water in the mix at all times and SOME horses won't drink if there isn't at least some of their home water in the mix.
If this seems 'retentive', well I guess it is, but you really DON'T want dehydrated horses.
Posted 2005-04-21 12:45 PM (#621 - in reply to #616) Subject: RE: Truck/trailer towing question
Posts: 4
Location: Land of Gar, Texas
We have a 97' F250, I don't know what year yours is, but our GVWR on this truck is 8800lbs. I haven't had our new trailer weighed yet but our old one, before the LQ's, came out to look like this... Front axle: 3,760lbs., Rear axle: 4,400lbs. (Total GVWR 8,160lbs.), Trailer: 7,040lbs. Total: 15,200lbs. This was going to a camp trip loaded with 2 horses, 2 people, dog, feed, water, the works. The trailer dry weight was about 5,070lbs and it was an all steel trailer. I did not get a chance to weigh it after the LQ's were installed. This trailer had a 2'SW.
The trailer we have now is all aluminum and has a 4'SW. I have not weighed this trailer, but I know it's dry weight was around 4,600lbs. A bit lighter than our other trailer but not by much. I know we are going to be close as far as weight goes but we should be alright. I hope this gives you somewhat of an idea of weight.
I also could not find the CGVWR on the sticker on the door but that's not to say it's not there. I'll look around and see if I can find what it is for that truck.
Posted 2005-04-21 2:07 PM (#622 - in reply to #616) Subject: RE: Truck/trailer towing question
Posts: 1563
Location: North Carolina
Originally written by maccwall on 2005-04-21 1:45 AM
I also could not find the CGVWR on the sticker on the door but that's not to say it's not there. I'll look around and see if I can find what it is for that truck.
The CGVWR will be in your manual. It might change depending on the transmission and engine options.
Also... I forgot to say... subtract the front axle weight from the gross truck weight to get the rear axle weight. (Just in case ...)
Posted 2005-04-22 12:01 AM (#624 - in reply to #616) Subject: RE: Truck/trailer towing question
Posts: 244
Reg,I remembered about the water while reading your post.I'll put some in,maybe in the fresh h20 tank,in the past I've just taken molasses to add to the water,and they always drink it.Adds salt and minerals too.
Posted 2005-04-22 12:15 AM (#625 - in reply to #616) Subject: RE: Truck/trailer towing question
Posts: 244
I think the LQ weighs around 7500 empty.I looked on the door sticker today,but I don't think I found the one you're talking about.I'll look in owners manual.Probably will ruin my upcoming ride/camp that we've been waiting to do for couple of years!(Just kidding.)It doesn't matter,because we're NOT getting a bigger truck.Nota.
Posted 2005-04-22 11:13 PM (#626 - in reply to #616) Subject: RE: Truck/trailer towing question
Posts: 43
Location: Kennesaw, GA
I agree with REG. The F250 with a Powerstroke can't carry very much more than a F150 although it pulls well. You'll see many people pulling good size LQ GN's with a F250. Are they legal? The problem is with the Powerstroke engine weight taking up much the weight the truck can carry.
My guess is that legally....you won't make it. Structurally, it...may...be fine. You can read alot on this particular truck and this particular issue on some of the Ford Truck forum websites.
Posted 2005-04-23 2:51 PM (#627 - in reply to #616) Subject: RE: Truck/trailer towing question
Posts: 1701
Location: New Mexico
That's what I had to do. I was under my GVWR but 80lbs over on my rear axl. I moved the horses back a stall, and now I am well under all weights. I didn't think it would make that big a difference moving the horsees back just 2 feet, but it did.
Posted 2005-04-24 11:02 PM (#628 - in reply to #616) Subject: RE: Truck/trailer towing question
Posts: 2621
Originally written by Terri on 2005-04-23 2:51 PM
That's what I had to do. I was under my GVWR but 80lbs over on my rear axl. I moved the horses back a stall, and now I am well under all weights. I didn't think it would make that big a difference moving the horsees back just 2 feet, but it did.
Do you know what percentage you then had on the truck ?
I have a nagging fear that if the hossies are too far back and the gooseneck gets "light" on the truck I will be visited by the sway fairy - or worse.
Truck/trailer towing question
I think the LQ weighs around 7500 empty.I looked on the door sticker today,but I don't think I found the one you're talking about.I'll look in owners manual.Probably will ruin my upcoming ride/camp that we've been waiting to do for couple of years!(Just kidding.)It doesn't matter,because we're NOT getting a bigger truck.Nota.
The problem is with the Powerstroke engine weight taking up much the weight the truck can carry.